OT: Feeling Older?

The offer post for Tyriq Thompson, and some of the posts in there, got me thinking about what it is that makes me feel older. Certainly seeing the Woolfolk family repeat generations helped me feel old, so I'd pose these questions to the MGoCommunity:

1. What is it that makes you feel old?

2. What do you do, or think you could do, to help yourself not feel so old?

(Those under the age of 30, feel free to ignore the questions and respond with suggestions for how us old(er) folk can help ourselves out).

Towards the end of my time at U of M I would mention the name "Mike Hart" in casual conversation and get blank faces from underclassmen. Friggin noobs. At least the seniors remembered / heard about him.

The idea that we are now into recruiting cycles where the prospective players were born when I was actually AT Michigan is one thing that is beginning to make me feel a little old sometimes.

There is also the fact that I can remember when the idea of having a tablet in your hand that could access great knowledge was reserved for Star Trek. Now, the very thing is charging about two feet from where I sit. My kids will never remember I time when having a computer in the house was quite the thing (and of course the older crowd will remember when there was no such thing) rather than a given. I am also just old enough to have taken typing classes.

I am only 35, but a lot of little things are starting to make me feel old - I suppose that's what I am saying. Exercising every day and little things like walking to places I can walk to rather than driving help keep me feeling younger though.

I like running on treadmills more, believe it or not. I like hiking outdoors and stuff, but I can only stay interested in running by playing with the incline, cranking the speed up and down, watching the calorie display, watching TV, etc.

I enjoy the solitude of a morning run outside. The treadmill messes with my mind and makes it seem like more effort since I'm not going anywhere. I don't really practice any kind of meditation but a morning run clears my head better than anything. Only time I really get to be alone.

When first attempting to run the treadmill, for the first couple weeks...leave your ego at the door. Run at a pace that gives you a heart rate of 180 minus your age. This is for two reasons. 1) To build the aerobic base that helps build the capillary network in your muscles that distributes oxygen and 2) Your lungs and muscles aren't the only think that need conditioning, but also your joints and tendons and such. You may aerobically be in good shape, but the other parts of your body need to be built up as well.

I find that the best ways to avoid a knee injury are a) not jumping and b) barreling straight into people instead of going around them.

In all seriousness, though, I've just become more judicious about being competitive. And I also do "prehab" type exercises to keep the muscles around my joints strong. I work a lot on balance type things with single-leg exercises, Bosu balls, etc.

I playe(ed) with a bunch of fellow teachers twice a week, but it seems like one of us 40 somethings are blowing an ankle or knee at least monthly. I run, and I'm thinking of quitting bball so I don't lose both...

I'm in the middle of Butt Fuck Egypt in Connecticut in a job I only half-like and several hundred miles from friends and family. I'm not without obstacles, but I'm doing my level best to make the most of it.

I have plenty of motivation...there are literally hundreds of coworkers whose fate I'm determined to avoid.

BUT, I will agree with your sentiment, but ignoring it isn't the answer either. If you refuse to let it define you, the calendar is just a number. My intent was to help others find ways to turn back the clock. Exercise seems to be the #1 method reported and at 45, I'm living proof.

I just don't get those people who are going through a "mid-life crisis" and try to cling onto their youth by going out and getting sloppy at younger clubs. I guess if it makes them happy that is all that matters.

Exercise is probably number one, but I think you need to also keep learning new things and not settling on being comfortable in anything. People who seem "old" are often stuck in the past and stubborn about changing. Probably getting new hobbies or changing jobs keeps your mind in good shape.

Lots of people get stuck in the music/culture/personal style they had in high school and college...and never evolve in these areas.

My wife's sister is constantly posting news and updates re: Bon Jovi and GNR on Facebook. Her whole life is rooted in the past which I believe has contributed to the myriad of problems she's had as an adult.

One can have positive thoughts about the past but those who embrace the present and the future tend to maintain a youthful aura even as they age.

Michigan hockey already has close to a full class in 2015, and they're starting to build the 2016 class with 98 birth years and already have two commits. Maine has a commit from a 2000 birth year, set to arrive on campus in 2019.

I might be high, but I'm old enough to be your father, if not grandfather.

1962 Lions. 11-3, second in the NFL Western Division, behind only the eventual NFL Champions Green Bay, whose only loss during their season was to the Lions in the "Thanksgiving Day Massacre" at Briggs Stadium. I was nine years old, and that was my favorite Lions team that I can honestly say I remember. It was just five years removed from their last NFL championship in '57.

-Whenever I see my students DOB on their records and think the things that they weren't even born for (9/11 for example).

-I also play flag football behind Ohio Stadium every Friday evening in the fall...and for 4 consecutive years, I have gotten injured (knee sprains, hanstrings, and this year was a Type II ankle sprain).

- I notice whenever I drink, it takes a tad longer to recover

How do I stay young?

I try to exercise as often as possible (cardio and lifting)...typically 5 days a week. I've been teaching for 6 years now...and every year I get asked if it is my first year. I was also asked by a bartender if I was old enough to drink. So apparently I'm like 20.

I feel old whenever somebody references a early 90s player as if he were from ancient history. (I was at Michigan in the early 90s.)

I guess I don't do much to try to feel young. I am coming to realize that each age has its benefits and challenges. It's a trade off. IMHO, feeling young or old is a red herring. It's all about enjoying the positives of wherever it is that you are at in life.

If I can be pardoned for giving unsolicited words of "wisdom" - My advice (especially to young moms and dads) is to enjoy whatever phase you are in and don't wish time away. My wife and I were blessed with three daughters within 4.5 years. When they were little, there was so much work to do that I couldn't wait for them to be older. That was a mistake. Don't get me wrong - I don't want to go back to changing diapers at 3:00 a.m. I just wish I had enjoyed the ride a bit more.

-Birthday coming up in a few months. Generally I despise birthdays but I will make an exception for my MGoBirthday, November 14th.

-Having firsthand experience with technology that was already outdated by the time I got my hands on it, e.g. handheld cassette players. An old car of mine had a cassette deck (mfg. in 2000). My first Windows was 3.1. All-time favorite was Windows 95. Among the modern windows I like XP the best; unfortunately Microsoft will stop giving it security updates soon. I also used a 56K dial-up modem for almost eight years.

Other thing that makes me feel old: I fall asleep (not pass out) before I can get drunk.

Other thing that makes me feel young: MGoBlog and the internet in general. Participating and reading discussions here keeps you in the loop on many things, and it is getting harder for the younger generation to age-gap us because there is now interaction among everyone. I have clients over the age of 70 who know who Taco Pants is.

I'm 32 and one thing that tells me I'm getting older is that I can't stay awake late night like I used to be able to. Three+ years ago I was able to stay awake until 3:00 AM on the weekends with no problem. There are times when I still do that, but only when I'm active, like when I am playing Xbox, but other than that, I'm usually sleeping by midnight, especially on Friday nights. I don't even like to do out on Friday nights anymore. Occassionally I do, but I'm always tired some 9:00 or 10:00. That's what happens when you get used to the M-F work schedule. Saturday is usually my day to go out and/or drink alcohol, which is one of countless reasons that college football is better than the NFL.

Um - the increasingly rapid passage of time makes me feel old I guess. When I was younger it seemed like time lingered and passed ever so slowly but now, at 54, I blink my eyes and a football season has come and gone. I turn my head and I've got a son running his own company and a daughter in NYC trying to be an actress and when I look in the mirrror I see more and more of my father every day as my hair turns gray and wrinkles start to become more pronounced. Like everyone I try and fight the inevitable through excercise and a better (somewhat) diet but each day comes and goes faster than the day before and I realize I'm closer to the end of this adventure than I am the beginning.

What would make me fee less old? Well a new Goddamn screen name for starters.......

Agreed that the passage of time is slow when you're young, then it goes by all too fast. I don't know what the answer to that is, but I'm searching for it.

On the plus side, MGrowOId, your wife looks great and I just got the ABSOLUTE BEST recipe for spinach-kale soup from her website. Kale is one of those super-healthy foods I'm always looking for ways to make it taste good. :) Also I so admire how she stays in shape, but must confess it's more likely for me to play QB against OSU with a broken foot than to be able to do the incredible level of exercise she does to stay in shape.

She liked Neil Young via Jake's cover. I liked Jake's original stuff so it was very cool. Jake also has a lot of Dylan and Johnny Cash. Crowd was half old farts, half teenagers and everyone felt good music is good music and can be appreciated by all.

that I'm still around to see the amazing additions to the educational resources on the campuses (I still marvel at what a great facility North Quad is) and to the athletic campus. I was at Michigan Stadium as a Boy Scout usher when the original, brick press box still haunted the stadium's west side. And yes, back then the announcer in condescending tones always gave the Slippery Rock score. I saw Maentz and Kramer play, saw the '69 Ohio v M game, and saw the infamous '73 tie game, among many, many others.

And I'm very happy to see how well the stadium additions have complimented and really completed the old bowl. The architects got the proportions and the exterior exactly right. I was up for the ND and IU games last fall and continue to marvel at what a fantastic venue Michigan Stadium is, and the memories it always evokes for me. Go Blue.

although I wish the students today could enjoy the stadium the way I did. As a Bo-era undergrad I was able to walk onto the stadium floor with friends. We'd go a few hours before basketball games and play flag football and have punting and place kicking contests. The astroturf was like fuzz-covered concrete.

I just don't think about it. Lots of things make me feel old when I let myself think about them. Like my daughter who is in her second year of university or seeing people my age in my office for various forms of illnesses that usually prey on those in advancing years.

Honestly, I don't feel old so I just don't think about. Not more than a few months ago I was at a medical conference in Florida and played some golf with some other delegates, all of them at least a decade younger than me. After a few holes the conversation turned to hockey and I mentioned that I remembered the Oilers dynasty of the 80'2 like it was yesterday. One asked me how old I was and without thinking I said 29, then paused and actually thought about it and laughed. When they asked what I was laughing at I informed them that I was actually 39 and had no idea where that number came from.

Anyway, I guess my point is I don't feel nearly my age because I keep fit, play sports and simply just enjoy life. I have grown to understand what my Dad used to mean when he'd say age is just a number and you're only as old as you feel. 39 be damned, I 'm not getting old at all.

Being 33 I'm on the fence. Half my friends aren't even married yet, but the other half got married right away, had kids right away, and those kids are now in high school. Part of me feels completely normal because I'm like half of my friends, but the other part is completely mindfucked and feels very late to the game because my friends have kids who're picking out colleges while I'm over here still picking out a wife, lmao.

Going to a Michigan game and realizing that all the current students could be my kids.

Having a stroke at age 53 (thankfully, 100% reversed.)

The death of Paul Walker, Cory Monteith (younger than me) along with actors and others who were part of my memories.B

Being old enough to be "grandpa" to my 12 year old twins.

I guess, though, what really made me feel old was when my 20 year old daughter, who joined the Navy last year, got married in December. I could be a grandfather any time. (hopefully not for at least 5 years.)

Regarding feeling young, it helps to exercise, stay fit, reasonably learn how to use technology.

The worst thing older people can do is hang around older people especially if they are inactive, sick or negative. I ref teen aged soccer games and play pick up with younger guys to keep fit and feed off their vitality. I also enjoy concerts and much of the alternative popular music. Was one of the few over 50 guys at Lollapalooza and had a blast enjoying the acts. I felt about 20 years younger after that experience. ... I am reminded of my age when kids tell me they have no idea who guys such as Rumeal Robinson are or that Jim Harbaugh really played QB at UM....something else others hinted at is try something new or learn something different weekly. As stated in Harold and MAude, " Try something new each day. After all, we're given a life to find it out. It doesn't last forever".

The fact that this appeared out of thin air on my b-day makes me feel old. Having a child who is a Sr at UM also is a bit wired. Exercise and keeping the mind challenged are key to avoiding the fact that you know that the ending is not going to be good.

1. Realizing I was old: I was walking on the sidewalk in downtown and a couple of college-aged young ladies came up to me. "Excuse me, Sir, do you know how to get to such and such?"

WTF? Are they talking to me? Sir? That was devastating.

Also, the fact that this story took place 10 years ago also makes it worse in a meta-way.

EDIT: 2. Feeling less old: laying down some pipe with cute 20somethings. Its toolish and douchey, but I'm telling you, it works. My sister insists this is a path to spiritual emptiness, but I have to tell you my spirits are pretty damned good. My hair stayed dark, I haven't gained weight, my blood pressure is low, and all these things will be even better if Nuss works out.

Alzheimer's runs in my family. If I am ever diagnosed, I plan to fly to Australia and go on a walkabout into the bush. I will either die of exposure, or begin a tribe of forgetful, old white aborigines.

Actually, I'm 45 and run 25 miles a week. Feel great and I can keep up with my kiddos (5 and 8).